| The Cutler Majestic Theatre was built
for opera, one of three facilities Eben Dyer Jordan commissioned to house
his favorite art form. (The others are Jordan Hall
at New England Conservatory, designed for concert opera, and the
1909 Boston Opera House on Huntington Street, designed for grand opera
and demolished in 1957.) The sound is exceptional, and the view is unobstructed
from all seats because it is the first Boston theater engineered without
pillars and such obstructions to visibility and sound. It's "love" of opera
singers remains evident today as fans of Opera Boston, Teatro Lirico d'Europa,
and the New England Conservatory productions know the Majestic is the only
theater in Boston that houses opera productions today.
It was engineered to support sophisticated
stage effects and was the first in Boston designed for electric light.
We love restoring its original appearance, but we also take pains to constantly
upgrade technical systems to 21st century standards.
Its architectural importance earned
the Majestic a place in both the Massachusetts and National Registers of
Historic Places, and status as a Boston Historic Landmark. It is located
in the historic Boston Theatre District and Piano Row, both of which are
Landmark districts.
According to the Boston Landmarks Commission’s
enabling statute, a Landmark is "a physical feature or improvement which
in whole or part has historical, social, cultural, architectural or aesthetic
significance to the city and the commonwealth, the New England Region or
the nation."
To achieve such standing requires a
grueling process. A petition must be filed, a study completed, and public
hearings held. Then 2/3 of the Commission must agree that the designation
is appropriate, and the designation must be approved by the Mayor and the
City Council.
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